Servias Ministries Blog

With increasing frequency, FATHER has been giving me the topics to write on in my dreams.  In addition, there has been increasing precision of the hour in which HE wakes me up.  It’s like an alarm clock set at precisely 6 AM, 5 AM, or 3 AM.  Unless I am scheduled to travel or have an early meeting, I never set an alarm clock.  FATHER takes care of that.

The Book of Ruth has a wonderful theme of being redeemed by the Kinsman/Redeemer for Ruth was a Gentile who would be redeemed by a Jewish man named Boaz.  The Book of Ruth is always read at the Feast of Pentecost, one of five read at the Feasts:

• Song of Songs (Passover)
• Ruth (Pentecost)
• Lamentations  (the ninth of Av" an annual fast day which commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem)
• Ecclesiastes (Feast of Tabernacles)
• Esther (Purim)

The book starts out “Now it came to pass in the days” which occurs five times (grace) and denotes an impending time of trouble followed by a happy deliverance.  Ruth is married to a sickly man who soon died and she is left with her mother-in-law Naomi.  Still being young, Ruth is urged by Naomi to stay in Moab with her parents but Ruth insists that she remain with Naomi.  Both women travel to Bethlehem.  In Ruth chapter 1:

16 But Ruth said:

​​​“Entreat me not to leave you, ​​Or to turn back from following after you;

​​For wherever you go, I will go; ​​And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;

​​Your people shall be my people, ​​And your God, my God.

17 ​​Where you die, I will die, ​​And there will I be buried.

​​The LORD do so to me, and more also, ​​If anything but death parts you and me.”

Ruth effectively said “I am all in”!

Thirteen famines are recorded in the Bible and this event takes place during the fourth famine.  Each and every famine occurred to prevent the seed of Abraham to come forth and fulfill the Promise.  The first recorded famine in Genesis 12:10 required Abram to journey to the land of Egypt.  This famine caused Naomi and Ruth to return to Naomi’s home of Bethlehem.  When a famine occurs, it is not business as usual and we must go outside “the box” and be sensitive to where FATHER wants us and has us do to overcome the famine. “Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.”

As many know, the barley harvest represents the harvesting of overcomers, the Remnant dedicated to FATHER.  This story is specific to redeeming those who are “all in”.  The 2nd chapter begins:

1 There was a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech (GOD is my King). His name was Boaz.

2 So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.”

We see that Boaz had been blessed by FATHER and had great wealth.  He was fulfilling his calling and had been a good steward over all that he had accumulated.  When wealth is accumulated for the right purpose it is a blessing.  Boaz was not a man of greed for he gave to those in need:

3 Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

The gleanings were provided for the poor according to Leviticus 19:

9  And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.

The corners (or wings) of the field were to help the needy and Boaz was fulfilling the Law accordingly.  FATHER’S Divine Intent of Love made sure those in need, especially in a famine, would not go hungry.  We are to be our brother’s keeper and our abundance should not be hoarded up when others are in need.  If we have an attitude to “get in order to give”, FATHER will respond.  But if we have the opposite intent to “give in order to get”, we will be in constant scarcity.  Boaz spoke to Ruth:

11 And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before.

12 The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”

Ruth’s faithfulness was to be rewarded by accessing the Presence of FATHER under HIS wings- the four corners of HIS Presence represented by the cherubim above the Ark.  Ruth was a stranger and a widow from a foreign land yet Boaz fully embraced her.  HE redeems her and marries her, they become one.  Her willingness to fully submit to the leading of THE SPIRIT positioned her to become grafted into the Kingdom and ended up as the great grandmother of King David, the result of her being “all in”.

There are two books with the names of women:  Ruth (a Gentile woman marries a Jewish man) and Esther (a Jewish woman marries a Gentile man).  Both women were “all in”.  Are you?

PS-  Even during a famine, Boaz was being blessed enough to provide for those he did not know.

The Ark of the Covenant is where the Presence of FATHER was located among the Israelites.  There were two cherubim on the lid of the Ark thus there were four wings depicted.  This represents the four corners of HIS Presence and these four corners denote HIS grace and mercy.  As we receive the fullness of HIS Presence we should expect HIS healing power and blessing to proceed from our “four corners” as well.

The Hebrew word kanaph means “corner” but it also means “wing”.  In the Book of Malachi, the “Great Day of THE LORD” is described in the 4th chapter:

1 “For behold, the day is coming, ​​Burning like an oven,

​​And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.

​​And the day which is coming shall burn them up,”

​​Says the LORD of hosts,

​​“That will leave them neither root nor branch.

2 ​​But to you who fear My name

​​The Sun of Righteousness shall arise

​​With healing in His wings;

​​And you shall go out ​​And grow fat like stall-fed calves.

Did Jesus fulfill this passage?  In Matthew chapter 9, Jesus was in a crowd of people after He had just restored a girl to life.  His power and authority had been revealed to the people and HIs fame was spreading throughout the land.  A woman with a chronic blood infirmity heard of what He had just done:

20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment.

21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.”

22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

This hem is a tassel, tuft: the Jews had such appendages attached to their mantles to remind them of the law.  Being Jewish, Jesus wore a mantle with four tassels, one at each of the four corners.  This represents the healing wings of the Ark of FATHER’S Presence and the woman touched HIS healing wings.  Again in Mark chapter 6 we find another instance of the people touching the corners of Jesus’ “covering”:

53 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.

54 And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him,

55 ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.

56 Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

Why am I writing this to you?  Are we not called to do greater things?  As Jesus Himself spoke these words in John 14:

12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

I implore you to consider that we all must rise above the logic of the world and embrace the words of Jesus and take on our responsibility to mature into Sons and walk as our elder Brother walked.  This is a daily walk toward full maturity and don’t think that on some feast day that you will simply be given a “magic” pill and be endued with power from On High.  Yes, it may culminate on that day but only those who have taken the path to full maturity will be chosen.  Just as Jesus matured into the full stature of a man before His ministry started, we must do the same.  We must overcome the trappings of the world as we move forward into the fullness of our individual callings.  We must begin to expect the supernatural to happen in our lives.  This word denotes “above” the natural which is where our focus should be.  FATHER revealed to us in Isaiah 55:

8 ​​“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

​​Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.

9 ​​“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

​​So are My ways higher than your ways,

​​And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

We are to access HIS ways and HIS thoughts rather than having our focus on the world’s ways and thoughts.  Man’s logic has a well-documented history of failure apart from FATHER’S ways.  Empires have risen and fallen due to the error of men’s logic and it appears we are at that point again in history.  FATHER ordained us to be here at this point in history and you were ordained to read these words in preparation for the fullness of your calling.  As you receive the understanding of these Scriptures concerning the healing in the wings, you are then able to expect that to occur as a mature Son in your life.  In the past, people have focused on being the recipients of HIS healing power and blessings from above.  Isn’t time that we become conduits of HIS healing power and blessings?

FATHER is raising up men and women to be “conduits” of HIS healing power and blessing.  The past generation of believers were generally focused on receiving blessing from Above.  The mature Sons and Daughters want to have HIS power flow through them to minister to all of mankind.  Surely there will be healing in their “wings”.

Proverbs 8:32 ​​“Now therefore, listen to me, my children,

​​For blessed are those who keep my ways.

33 ​​Hear instruction and be wise, ​​And do not disdain it.

34 ​​Blessed is the man who listens to me, ​​Watching daily at my gates,

​​Waiting at the posts of my doors.

35 ​​For whoever finds me finds life, ​​And obtains favor from the LORD;

To desecrate means to divert from a sacred to a profane use or purpose.  I believe that anything FATHER intends is its Sacred purpose.  In the strictest sense, the purpose of every living thing on earth has a Sacred purpose of design and to promote, act on,  or suggest another purpose is to desecrate its purpose.  On the other hand, to embrace and support the purpose FATHER gave someone or something is to honor HIM.  Those who do, walk in gratitude toward HIM.  That turned out not to be the case in the days of Noah:

Genesis 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

The wickedness of that time became so great, FATHER found it necessary to judge the whole world except eight souls, Noah and his family:

9 This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.

10 And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

12 So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.

We are clearly at the end of another age where the sacredness of manhood, womanhood, and childhood are all being desecrated and redefined to suit the intent of those who do not know FATHER’S Divine Intent of Love.  I Love all mankind no matter what their persuasion.  However that does not mean I must accept their beliefs just as they do not accept mine.  I hate no one and understand that FATHER’S judgment upon man is not one of everlasting condemnation but instead is an act of Love to remove them from habitual wickedness and sin.  Death and destruction of the flesh ultimately reunites them with FATHER after a time of cleansing and correction.  It’s all good.

In the 1st chapter of the Book of Jeremiah, it is revealed that FATHER knew us before we were formed in the womb:

5 ​​“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;

​​Before you were born I sanctified you; ​​I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

​6 Then said I: ​​​“Ah, Lord GOD! ​​Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”

​7 But the LORD said to me: ​​​“Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ ​​For you shall go to all to whom I send you,

​​And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

8 ​​Do not be afraid of their faces, ​​For I am with you to deliver you,” says the LORD.

Within these few verses is a great assurance and understanding of our life.  First, we did not begin our life in the womb of a woman but instead FATHER already knew us thus our life preceded the physical formation of the sperm and egg.  This places all of us on equal footing and in the end our physical parents, whether known or not, were not the primary source of our life.  We should be grateful to them but not look at them as our final source of who we are.

Secondly, we have a purpose before we were formed in the womb and FATHER’S Divine Intent of Love created that purpose.  It is up to each of us to seek out that purpose and consistently move toward its fulfillment.

Thirdly, FATHER watches over HIS plan to deliver you from any obstacle that would prevent you from fulfilling your purpose.  This is where you must trust IN HIM and express your desire to fulfill HIS purpose.  Do you think HE will support other activities which would divert you from your purpose?  HIS mercy and grace are sufficient for you while you are maturing to the point of deciding to respond to your purpose but in the end HE expects you to choose the right path for your physical life here on earth.  He expects you not to “desecrate” your temple.  In Psalm 139, we are also given confirmation of what was told to us in Jeremiah:

13 ​​For You formed my inward parts; ​​You covered me in my mother’s womb.

14 ​​I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;f

​​Marvelous are Your works, ​​And that my soul knows very well.

15 ​​My frame was not hidden from You, ​​When I was made in secret,

​​And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 ​​Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. ​​And in Your book they all were written,

​​The days fashioned for me, ​​When as yet there were none of them.

The Love of many are growing cold and thus they are allowing their Sacred purpose to be “desecrated”.  Let us not be counted among them but instead let the Presence of FATHER dwell in our Holy Temples for the purpose of ministering to all mankind, not matter what the persuasion.  Let the idols be removed from our temples and let our temples be fully cleansed and consecrated for HIS use.  Let HIS Presence shine brightly in our faces, visible among all men.  Let HIS Love draw all men away from the desecrations occurring all over the globe.  Let us arise with healing in “our wings”.  To be continued…

What is the purpose of a temple, house, or tent?  It is a place for someone to reside, a residence, a place of habitation.

Exodus 15:13  You in Your mercy have led forth
The people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them in Your strength
To Your holy habitation.

Where is FATHER’S Holy habitation meant to be today?  HE has designated us to be where HE dwells as Paul revealed in 1 Corinthians chapter 6:

19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

FATHER continues to have me focus on HIS relationship with each of us at a personal level.  There has been much ministry and prophecy dealing with the corporate or macro view of what is happening among nations and cultures.  But if you focus only on the external, it will be at the expense of the internal.  You can consistently watch people exercise and participate in sporting events but if you don’t exercise yourself, your body will become weaker and weaker until you are totally out of shape.  This is true for the spiritual as well as the physical.  “Use it or lose it” is a well known phrase that has a lot of truth to it.

We need to walk in Love and exercise our faith on a daily basis.  Each and every morning, I purpose to give FATHER the firstfruits of the day to the point that I look forward to waking up early in the morning to hear HIS Voice.  At night when we go to bed we listen to HIS healing Scriptures, not because we have to, but because we desire to keep HIS Word for healing at the forefront of our consciousness.  IN HIM we have our being!

My body was formed in the womb, nourished over time, trained up from a child, to be a dwelling place for HIS SPIRIT.  What an honor to bestow on such a small part of this universe.  As the psalmist wrote in the 8th chapter:

3 ​​When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

​​The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

4 ​​What is man that You are mindful of him,

​​And the son of man that You visit him?

5 ​​For You have made him a little lower than the angels,

​​And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

Will sin and lawlessness dwell in HIS Presence?  No way!  If you continue to have problems with sin or lawlessness in some area of your life, trying to abstain by your own power and determination will not overcome the problem once and for all.  The key to success in resolving that problem that plagues you (everyone has one to be certain) is to seek the fullness of FATHER’S Presence in your personal temple.  The greatest offense against temptation is the fullness of FATHER’S Presence.  The answer to sin is the Presence of FATHER.  This is how we guard our purpose, our calling.  Each of us was born to house the Presence of GOD and the more we are in HIS Presence, the more we overcome the world.  As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians chapter 3:

16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

If you persistently and habitually defile your temple, death and destruction will come.  That is a simple law which is being reflected all around us.  It is true at a macro level for a country as well as a personal level.  To defile means to pine or waste; properly, to shrivel or wither, i.e. to spoil (by any process) or (generally) to ruin (especially figuratively, by moral influences, to deprave):—corrupt (self), defile, destroy.

Each of us should seek the fullness of HIS Presence in our personal temple.  HIS Presence is the only solution to what is coming soon.  The more we are in the Presence of FATHER, the more we overcome the world.  A transition will occur as judgment comes forth against the perversions occurring around the globe.  Jesus warned in Matthew chapter 24:

12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Each of us needs to prepare at all levels: Spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.  To leave out one aspect could mean the difference between success and failure at a personal level.  Why overlook any aspect of your life?

Proverbs 22:3  A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,
But the simple pass on and are punished.  NKJV

Another translation adds to the understanding:

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.  NLT

The purpose of your temple is to house HIS Presence and it is HIS plan to dwell in HIS people who will take on HIS Character of Love.  When HE dwells in you in HIS fullness, your ways become HIS ways and you take on HIS Character.  Fully submit yourself to HIM today and open yourself up to the fullness of HIS Presence.  WHO or what dwells in your temple is your decision.  FATHER will honor that decision.

Over the years when difficult times have come in my life, I had to stop and encourage myself in THE LORD.  I believe this will be critical for us to understand and utilize in coming months and years.  Before any major event where FATHER is manifesting HIS plan, the adversary will attempt to derail you.  You will be challenged, frustrated, and if possible, become hopeless.  When you find yourself in this situation, encourage yourself in THE LORD.  In 1st Samuel chapter 30, David is confronted with such a situation:

1 Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire,

2 and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way.

3 So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive.

4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

5 And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive.

6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

Here we have the people who had no more strength or power to even weep!  David’s wives had been taken captive and now the people wanted to stone him… not a good day.  What was David to do?  In our darkest and most challenging times we need to stop and get quiet before FATHER.  We need to recount all of HIS past blessings in our life.  What is my purpose and has it been completed?  Why are all these bad things happening to me?  Does FATHER really Love me?  Absolutely!

Just before a major breakthrough, the enemy will try to take a preemptive strike against us and we see this theme time and time again throughout Scripture.  FATHER sent an angel unto Mary expressing the calling of Jesus Who would soon be formed in her womb.  In Luke chapter 1:

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,

27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.

32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

What a blessing this was for Mary, to carry the Son of GOD in her womb!  However, once Jesus was born all hell would break loose.  King Herod heard of this Divine event and attempted a preemptive strike hoping to stop the fulfillment of Jesus’ calling.  In Matthew chapter 2:

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.

…and…

19 Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.”

If the calling of Our Lord Jesus Christ would be challenged by the adversary, don’t you think yours will be too?  Your Divine appointment will be challenged and you can expect resistance to the fulfillment of your calling.  Be encouraged that FATHER will send forth whoever or whatever is necessary for its fulfillment.  Spend time recounting past blessings where HE intervened in your life.  Spend time in gratitude for simply being alive at this very hour.  Know that HE put you here for a reason and look to HIM to fulfill every need required for your calling to come forth to full maturity.

No matter how bleak things look, the universe continues to expand and the resources of Heaven have not been depleted.  We must individually encourage ourselves just like David did and know that FATHER is with us and if HE is for us, who can be against us.  Do not be dismayed by the things you see for they are subject to change.  They are temporal in nature.  FATHER’S Love for you and me is greater than any attempt by the adversary to derail the fulfillment of our purpose here on earth.  Encourage yourself with Psalm 103 just as David did?

Psalm 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;

​​And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2 ​​Bless the LORD, O my soul,

​​And forget not all His benefits:

3 ​​Who forgives all your iniquities,

​​Who heals all your diseases,

4 ​​Who redeems your life from destruction,

​​Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 ​​Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

​​So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Remember when we were young kids and used the phrase “It takes one to know one”.  The phrase was typically used in a derogatory manner when another kid called you a name that belittled you.  In reality, teaching from a reference of first hand experience is not a bad thing.  Jacob was once a manipulator but his nature changed and he became known as Israel.  Saul was once known as a hater of those who followed Christ but his nature changed as well and became known as Paul.

Paul had concerns for the Galatians who were reverting back to their old ways of being slaves to the world:

Galatians 4:8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods.

9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.

11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

It is my deepest desire that both you and I continue on to our full maturity in Christ and embrace the attributes and responsibilities of being HIS mature Sons walking in the fullness of HIS calling assigned to each of us individually before HE formed us in the womb.  Obviously Paul understood that you had the choice to return back to the old ways of being a slave or he would not have been led by the Holy Spirit to pen these words.  We must not look back to the old ways of being in slavery to man but look up for our redemption draweth nigh.  Paul began the chapter with:

1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all,

2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.

3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.

4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Are you willing to take on the responsibility of being “master of all”?  Don’t let the old man paint a picture of being exalted to a position of entitlement but instead look to be willing to serve all mankind, the true mark of greatness.  In the Gospel of John, Jesus spoke:

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Life is meant to flow from FATHER through you to those you encounter.  Can that flow of life overtake their enslavement?  Absolutely!  Are you willing to lay down your life for your brother and sister who are weak and need hope, encouragement, and tangible results in their lives?  Everyone focuses on problems these days but are you seeking solutions which are only found from FATHER?  We are to be beacons of life for others, not simply silent, passive, and sitting on the sidelines of life.

Ultimately we are called to be connected with each other, not independent and isolated islands in the sea of humanity.  I expect that connection to come together sooner than later.  But that connection must be by THE SPIRIT, not by man’s logic and motivation.  We must come in true unity as the 153 fish in John 21:11 submitted to the command of Jesus to enter into the net for the nourishment of mankind.

There are those who would turn back to the world’s ways in such a subtle fashion as to not alert others of their decision.  Yet there are those who are passionate for Christ willing to lay down their lives (and resources) for the brethren.  Which category are you in?  Do you look for a reason to give or an excuse to withhold, restrain, and/or maintain separation?  Do you constantly dwell on the latest injustice or are you looking for ways to be a greater blessing?  Many are called but few are chosen.  Each of us can turn back to the ways of Egypt or we can enter into the Promised Land.  It is our choice to which path we take.  As for me, I am pressing on toward full maturity to FATHER’S call.  Come on in, the water’s fine!

There is so much deceptiveness by men today that it is a “must” to be discerning and sensitive to HIS Spirit.  Men have increased in lawlessness in epic proportions.  All the average person wants is for others to simply “do the right thing”.  The American insurance model is based on fraud in my opinion.  You will find there are two prices for healthcare expenses- retail and what insurance companies are actually charged.  If you go to a hospital for a procedure, you will see the retail charges which are astronomical.  But when the insurance is charged, they receive a much lower rate thus your deductible is paying a much greater percentage of the cost.

It is no different in the pharmaceutical industry.  When I was a CFO in the animal health industry, a drug costing about $15 for a bottle of 500 capsules in the veterinary market would be priced at around $20 for less than 30 capsules in the human market.  Clearly the pharmaceutical company would not sell any bottle for a loss.

Paul wrote in the 13th chapter of Romans:

8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

People are constantly wanting something for nothing.  Corporations are constantly exploiting the public at every turn.  I ask “Where is the Love?”.  You cannot mandate others to walk in Love.  Their ego is stronger than their spirit and until it is broken, they don’t see a need to change.  This is why I expect judgment to come on this nation… and soon.  The American attitude of entitlement, superiority, and exploitation of other countries will soon come home to roost.  FATHER has been longsuffering with this country but at some point judgment is necessary.  The illusion of grandeur held by those in charge will soon evaporate.

This country has exploited the rest of the world by having the U.S. Dollar as the world’s reserve currency and having a superior military to enforce compliance.  You only have to look back at the last 20 years to see the blatant abuse of that power around the globe.  In the meantime, pass the popcorn, there is another good movie on the cable channel.  The average American is lulled to complacency while the country moves toward severe judgment.

Mathematically speaking, there is no economic solution to the global debt solution other than a great reset, a jubilee of debt.  Governments have kicked the can down the road as FATHER has allowed them to believe some dramatic solution to the economic problems will surface miraculously.  As far as I can see, there is only one solution- The Law of Love.

The Law of Love is counterintuitive to the logic of man, just as every deliverance of Israel was of a similar nature.  Blow horns to bring down the walls of Jericho?  That makes no sense to the mind.  Gideon and 300 men to defeat the Midianites?  Really?  FATHER confounds the wise with HIS methodology because HE will not allow HIS Ways to be reduced to a manmade formula for success.

Hope by itself is not the answer.  Hope and faith alone will not combine for the answer.  Only Love will survive time and must be the foundation for the solutions to life.  Every other path leads to death and destruction.  The Dollar is headed for destruction and those relying and trusting in the Dollar will wake up some Monday morning in great sadness when the central planners devalue the Dollar by 50% or more in order to keep it on life support.  Paper assets which currently produce the “wealth effect” will suffer a severe devaluation.  Why do you think that antiques, art, and choice real estate are selling at record prices?  The 1% see the writing on the wall and are trying to preserve wealth in whatever form possible.  They are still missing the point that Love has the greatest return on investment.

The Law of Love requires you to place your trust in FATHER, not money.  Paul understood this in the 4th chapter of Philippians when he was commending the brethren concerning the generosity of supporting his ministry:

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Who are you being generous toward?  Are you accumulating treasure in Heaven or are you relying on your temporal bank account or market fund?  Are you consistently performing acts of Love or are you trying to figure out how to get something for nothing?  I challenge you to do a personal assessment to see which category you fall into.  There are plenty of people who “talk the talk” but not many who “walk the walk”.  The Law of Love does not exclude the area of finances and that particular area may see the greatest judgment in this country when FATHER’S longsuffering comes to a conclusion.  We have been sufficiently warned.

In the third chapter of Colossians, Paul wrote:

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

The challenge each of us has is to function at the earthly realm while keeping our focus on the Heavenly realm.  The daily activities would demand all of your attention if you would let them and most people give in to the demands.  It takes commitment and discipline to consistently seek those things Above and it is my desire in these writing to help you keep that focus.  I could write about the constantly changing and unfolding economic events each day and believe me there is plenty to write about.  Instead, I prefer to keep our focus on the everlasting not the temporal.

Be of good courage.  As we continue the maturing process FATHER will honor our commitment to HIM and navigate us through the turbulence which lies ahead.  By consistently seeking those things Above, I have seen my priorities and interests shift dramatically over time and I am extremely thankful for that.  My focus has shifted from “self” to others and what a blessing it is to see the growth in personal relationships.  I have received similar reports from others.  HIS Word really works once we read and dwell on it from a perspective of Love.  Paul revealed this as he wrote:

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection

It is my deepest desire to be a conduit of HIS Love to you and those whom I come in contact with on a daily basis.  I hope as you are encouraged by these daily writings and  you see your life being transformed in the same manner.  We must have the patience of farmers who plant their crops knowing that it will take time for the harvest to ripen.  We must keep our perspective aligned with FATHER’S reality while we await the ripening of the fruit.

Think back to some event that happened several years ago, an event which at the time seemed very negative.  Does it really matter now?  Have you finally let it go?  Consider how Paul (who was Saul) had such a regretful history of being an enemy to those who love Jesus Christ.  Only the Love of Christ was able to minister to Paul and wipe away the sins in his life and replace it with Love and gratitude for being reconciled to FATHER.  Each of us should wake up daily with such gratitude for Our Heavenly Father.  With such gratitude in mind, we should be quick to forgive those who are weaker and immature in HIS Love.  We too were once in the same state as those who might challenge us on a daily basis.  Paul continues:

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

There are some days where peace could depart from me if I were not grounded IN HIM.  Owning and operating my own business has inherent risks.  Revenue goes up… and revenue goes down.  All of us would like steady income that we can always count on but generally it is not the case for small businesses.  As I matured, I became less impacted by the business cycle.  In July 1985, FATHER told me to start my own business rather than take another position as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of an established business.  Two months passed and the new business had no revenue.  I prayed to FATHER and told HIM if something didn’t happen soon, I would have to get a job working for someone else.  HE answered my prayer and sent my first client.  I learned to trust IN HIM as my source.  HE expects each of us to exercise our faith but also it should have Love as a foundation.  That event along with countless others has provided me with a basis to write encouraging words to you.  I can testify of HIS Love in action.  The key is to seek those things Above.